Number 71 May 30, 2011

I mentioned in my last blog that I've seen  several revelatory concerts this year.  Last week it was Four Generations of Miles at Yoshi's Oakland, with Mike Stern, Sonny Fortune, Buster Williams, and Jimmy Cobb.  Each of them played during very important and innovative stages of Miles' career.  Playing standards associated with Miles, from Stella by Starlight to Green Dolphin Street to Straight No Chaser, they were at once celebratory and fresh.  Music is one of the few disciplines where the elderly can (if they are brilliant) push a younger and equally talented musician.  Roy Haynes does this regularly.  And Jimmy Cobb, who is probably the only person still alive who was in the studio for the Kind of Blue sessions, pushed Mike Stern rhythmically as if he were still 20 years old.